5 Best Neighborhoods To See Christmas Light Displays In Rochester, Minnesota

'Tis the season to see all of the Christmas lights! I recently found out that about 87% of residents in the United States decorate the outside of their homes.  When that decorating is full of inflatables and gorgeous twinkle lights, you know you've got to drive by and see the display.

If you are looking for the best neighborhoods in Rochester to look at Christmas lights just fill the car up with gas, grab some hot cocoa and drive around to these neighborhoods.  At the end, we share our top 5 favorites you must see at least once this holiday season.

Check Out These Neighborhoods For Some Of The Best Christmas Light Displays in Rochester, Minnesota

Projectors, lawn ornaments, and inflatables have all become popular items that people use to decorate for the holidays.  However, the number one decorating tool that people use on the outside of their homes are lights.  Now what color is picked for that illumination is up for debate (although if you pick anything other than "white", you are wrong).

In a town of about 124,000 people, you have quite a few streets to explore that are all beautified for the holiday season.  Below are some of the more popular spots to view in Rochester, Minnesota.  And if you keep reading, you'll find our top 5 spots for this Christmas season below.

5 Best Neighborhoods To See Christmas Lights In Rochester, Minnesota

1)  The Enchanted Forest - this is a MUST! It wasn't lit up in 2024 but I saw on social media that the lights were on again in 2025.  Drive on over to 18th Ave. NW and turn onto Chippewa Drive NW.  You will find the forest around Itasca Ct NW. (Get directions)

2)  Northern Heights - Just off of North Broadway is a magical display of lights.  Take a turn onto Northern Heights Drive NE and enjoy the gorgeous large pine trees as you go up the hill.  The entire neighborhood has several homes all ready for the holidays, but the favorite for many is the house on Sierra Lane NE.  Cousin Eddie from Christmas Vacation likes to make an appearance this time of the year.

3)  Go meet Santa at 12th Avenue SE - He decorated a house in Rochester with a ton of lights and waits outside to visit with all of the kids that stop by to visit.  Drive on over, roll your windows down, and let Santa know what is on your wish list this year.  Just an FYI, he is not there on Christmas Eve because...well, he is pretty busy that night.

4)  Plummer Building - go to 4th Street SW, turn North on 2nd Ave. SW and look ahead.  As soon as the buildings are out of the way, you'll see the giant Christmas tree lit up in the windows.

5)  Pill Hill in Southwest Rochester - amazing neighborhood with so many gorgeous houses and lights.  Drive around and as you are leaving, take a little trip around downtown Rochester to see the nativity at St. Mary's and the lights on and around the Mayo Clinic buildings.

Do you love all of the Christmas magic and lights?  Here's a few more places you can enjoy:

• The most amazing drive-thru Christmas light display in Southeast Minnesota
• Carriage rides through the most magical Christmas lights just an hour from Rochester

Where do you go to view Christmas lights?  I’d love to hear about it!  Send me a message on my Facebook page (Jessica On The Radio) or DM me on Instagram.

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